Where are the car brake pads located?
2 Answers
Brake pads are installed inside the four wheels. Cars have disc brakes and drum brakes. The disc brake pads can be seen from the outside of the four wheels, with drum brakes being more effective; the brake drums inside the wheels are not visible from the outside. Here are the relevant explanations: 1. Principle: When using the handbrake, the rear brakes are activated, requiring the function of the brake pads. The handbrake adds a mechanism controlled by a cable to the rear brakes. Some vehicles have a brake pad warning function. Once the wear limit is reached, the dashboard will alert to replace them. 2. Replacement requirements: Generally, the brake pads should be inspected every 5,000 kilometers. Not only should the remaining thickness be checked, but also the wear state of the pads, whether the wear on both sides is the same, whether they retract freely, etc. Any abnormal situations must be addressed immediately. Do not wait until the friction material is completely worn out before replacing the brake pads.
As an ordinary person who frequently commutes by car, when it comes to the location of brake pads, I immediately think of them as the critical components hidden near the wheels. Specifically, they are installed inside the brake calipers, tightly clamping onto the round brake disc. The brake disc is a metal disc fixed to the wheel, and every time I press the brake pedal, the hydraulic system pushes the caliper pistons, pressing the brake pads against the disc to create friction and slow the car down. They are located in the central area of each wheel—if you lift the car or remove the wheel, you can see the metallic caliper and brake disc from the side. I remember once when my car made a screeching sound, it was a warning sign of worn brake pads; ignoring their condition could be dangerous. Generally, both the front and rear wheels of a car are equipped with brake pads, though some older models use drum brakes for the rear wheels, slightly altering the pad location. Once you know their position, maintenance becomes straightforward. It’s recommended to check their thickness every 30,000 kilometers or so to avoid brake failure mid-drive. This is especially crucial in urban traffic jams, as their location inside the wheels directly impacts the entire braking system's safety.
